At IPS, Creating Better Futures isn’t just a tagline — it’s the driving force behind everything the organisation does.

Within the newly minted Workforce Transformation service line, one of the most powerful examples of that vision in action is the mentoring work of Marika Silverthorne through the Construction Training Fund (CTF) Scholarship Program.

For many young people entering trades training, the journey can be both exciting and overwhelming. That’s where IPS mentors like Marika make a real difference.

​With a warm, approachable presence and a deep understanding of the barriers students face, she provides guidance that goes far beyond the classroom.

“Marika was a huge help while I was doing my TAFE/CTF course,” says Lachlan Pass, a recent participant in the program.

“She always checked in to see how I was going—not just with the course, but personally too.”

From resume workshops to interview practice and emotional support, Marika’s holistic approach helps students develop both the practical and personal skills they need to succeed.

 For Lachlan, that support led to a breakthrough.

​“She gave me a hand with my resume, which actually helped me land an apprenticeship in bricklaying and block laying,” he shares.

“Even after I finished the course, she was still happy to help out with anything I needed for the apprenticeship.”

This level of ongoing support is a cornerstone of IPS’s mentoring model — one that emphasises long-term empowerment over short-term outcomes.

IPS collaborates with the Construction Training Fund to deliver personalised, culturally responsive support to trainees across WA.

The program is part of IPS’s broader Workforce Transformation portfolio, which includes mentoring, capability building, career coaching, and employer engagement — all tailored to help individuals thrive on their own terms.

Lachlan’s journey from student to apprentice is just one of many stories emerging from the CTF Scholarship Program — a testament to what can happen when mentorship is done with integrity, heart, and a genuine commitment to student growth.

“Marika was super easy to talk to and always had a way to help out if something wasn’t going right,” Lachlan reflects.

“She really helped me get to where I am now.”

To explore our Workforce Transformation programs and see how IPS can support your organisation or community, visit: ipsau.com.au/services

​Western Australia’s METRONET program continues to reshape Perth’s public transport network and deliver life-changing opportunities along the way.

This weekend, the highly anticipated Thornlie-Cockburn Link officially opens, adding five new stations to Perth’s expanding rail network. As the train stations begin operations, some on-going work will continue to turn the rail corridor into a parkland called “Long Park”, over the next few months.

The Thornlie-Cockburn Link is the latest milestone in WA’s $1 billion rail transformation. But behind the new shiny stations, elevated tracks, and modern infrastructure lies a hidden success story — one that highlights how METRONET is delivering more than just transportation upgrades.

The Armadale Line Upgrade, which paved the way for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link has already created significant employment outcomes thanks to the work of IPS Management Consultants, who led the highly successful OnTrack Program.​​

The government-backed OnTrack initiative was designed to provide intensive mentoring, skills development and real job opportunities for West Australians, many of whom were entering the workforce and the construction industry for the first time.

Some of the key milestones achieved through IPS and OnTrack include:

• 105 trainees commenced the program
• 87 graduated successfully
• 57 secured direct employment on the Armadale Line Upgrade project
• 25 transitioned into employment outside of the project
• 44% of graduates identified as First Nations people
• 30% of participants were female
• $103,000 in court-imposed fines were expiated through the Work Development Payment Scheme
  
  

Through one-on-one mentoring and tailored support, the IPS team worked closely with trainees to help them overcome barriers, develop valuable skills and create lasting career pathways in WA’s growing infrastructure and construction sectors.

The program was also recognized for its outstanding mentorship and support, winning the 'Above and Beyond Award' at the Nudge Training Awards last November.
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WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti recently acknowledged the scale and significance of these infrastructure works:
“We appreciate the community’s patience while we deliver this transformative program of works on the Armadale Line. We’re building incredible new stations, removing dangerous level crossings, turning the rail corridor into parkland, and upgrading huge sections of track between Beckenham and Armadale.”
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Programs like OnTrack demonstrate how public infrastructure projects can drive not only economic growth but also lasting social outcomes for local communities.

​By partnering with government, industry, and training organisations, IPS Management Consultants has helped ensure the Armadale Line Upgrade delivers a legacy that extends far beyond construction.